The Diary Room

[Ms Thrifty]

Playing it absolutely straight like this is the only thing to do. I was once sifting job applications and knew one of the applicants. She assumed I would help her but I told her I couldn't deal with her application - of course not! Actually she probably fared better that way...

[aruif]

Mrs Thrify, so you didn't let her apply for the job even if she could do the job? Or you let someone else deal with her application?

I've worked with lots of people I know, including family, but never directly with them if that makes sense.

Lots of companies prefer to hire people who know members of their staff already and come recommended, some companies even p*y the person a finders fee.

In my current industry it's very much WHO you know as well as what you know.

I guess it depends on the company or industry you're in, but i've never heard of anyone not working with someone they know or not even being allowed to apply to do so.

[Beate]

I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with recommending a person you know for a job, they will still have to have an interview and have their CV scrutinized. It's all about networking, and as long as no one is taken on JUST because they know someone, it's fine. A lot of companies are happy about not having to p*y exorbitant fees to recruitment agencies and finding a good candidate another way. I have recommended a friend of mine to my employer once, she was taken on on a temporary basis at first, then given a proper job when she proved herself to be very good at it. She is still with us years later.

[Ms Thrifty]

I meant I asked someone else to look at her application. And they selected her for interview and then she actually got one of the jobs, so she achieved the best possible outcome. I think this is how it should always work but it can get difficult in large organisations when people move around a lot as you might work with someone, then come across then somewhere else, in another capacity. And you can end up above or below them in the hierarchy despite starting as equals - the permutations are many.

[a_person]

In my organisation, you have to state on the application form if you know anyone who works there already. They're very strict on this and could lead to dismissal if found out at a later point or withdrawal of the application. (Quite pointless really as people still don't mention it!!)

I found recommendation policies mainly exist in the private sector (not sure of any public sector organisation with that but I can't be certain.) When I worked for a very large firm, they actually did have a recommendation policy BUT all you could do is say "I'd like to recommend so and so for the job" and they couldn't be family. If the manager thought they would make a good match then they'd get to interview but it wasn't guaranteed. Still depended on the manager. They always say networking is key (and this is very true if you need something done) but if you're rubbish at the job, you shouldn't be employed......regardless of who you know.

[valda]

I got my previous job cos the manager was my old supervisors ex boyfried if that makes sense. He recognized my name, checked if it was me, and I started as soon as I was made redundant. Also that line of work is very closed. I remember when they were getting CV's in, the managers would call up the applicants present company and get the inside info. Not very fair, but they all know each other

[valda]

In my organisation, you have to state on the application form if you know anyone who works there already. They're very strict on this and could lead to dismissal if found out at a later point or withdrawal of the application. (Quite pointless really as people still don't mention it!!)

I found recommendation policies mainly exist in the private sector (not sure of any public sector organisation with that but I can't be certain.) When I worked for a very large firm, they actually did have a recommendation policy BUT all you could do is say "I'd like to recommend so and so for the job" and they couldn't be family. If the manager thought they would make a good match then they'd get to interview but it wasn't guaranteed. Still depended on the manager. They always say networking is key (and this is very true if you need something done) but if you're rubbish at the job, you shouldn't be employed......regardless of who you know.

Lots of companies give you a bonus if you recommend someone and they get the job

[a_person]

And you can end up above or below them in the hierarchy despite starting as equals - the permutations are many.

This is why you should never be mean to an employee on a personal basis! You never know where they may end up! Tried teaching someone that once but they thought they were too big for their own boots. Now they're p*ying the price (with that person, not me!)!

[Ms Thrifty]

I do actually recall staff in my office being asked once to recommend friends or relatives for a vacancy but this was because the p*y was so poor (temp contract) that no-one applied!

[a_person]

Lol, did it meet minimum wage?

I feel really sorry for the cleaners in my work place. Some of the things they are made to do is just so depressing. And I think they just get slightly above minimum wage!